Micah House

"The pandemic has shone a bright light on the incredible contributions of newcomers. These new policies will help those with a temporary status to plan their future in Canada, play a key role in our economic recovery and help us build back better. Our message to them is simple: your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lastingand we want you to stay." The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship This pro...gram is specifically for temporary workers, rather than refugee claimants, but we're excited by what this might mean for the population we serve at Micah House. https://www.cbc.ca//pathway-permanent-residency-essential-

If you are unfamiliar with the Canada Cares movement take a tour on the link below. Canada Cares is organizing ministries and charities like Micah House in order to explore how the federal government could match financial support from the public 1:1. Yesterday we met with Minister Hussen and our sector was excellently represented by Allan Reesor's (Matthew House Ottawa) presentation. Thank you Allan!

Last Saturday we welcomed an eager and capable young group from Redeemer University's "Act Five" gap program. They rolled up their sleeves and went to work on our new office space. Thanks Act Five team! AND, later that day they provided dinner for our residents! A great double-gift that we are very grateful for!... https://www.redeemer.ca/act-five/

Please join us this Thursday night as we look back at God's footprint's and forward to where He is leading. We can promise that your hour spent with us online will not be full of boring content and administrative chat! Instead, you will meet our warm and hard working board and staff, hear from a local church partner and a former resident who is now hard at work on his Master's degree but still finding time to volunteer. You need to register ahead of time, and you can do that ...at the link here... https://www.micahhouse.ca/post/a-town-hall-for-everyone We promise to set the gavel aside and spend our time enjoying, supporting and encouraging one another!

How do you see our city without looking? https://www.micahhouse.ca/post/a-different-sort-of-tour

Kristina was a wonderful part of our banquet this year! That's her in the photo. Thank you to everyone who tuned in and/or made a donation to this ministry for newly arrived refugees in Hamilton! If you missed things we are leaving the video up for a few more days and you can get it here https://youtu.be/ThQxkPf2Y7s... If you didn't get a chance to make a donation you can find the button you're looking for at www.micahhouse.ca Over $14,000.00 raised so far! Thank you!

...and more great things afoot! Another former resident had a successful hearing. In fact, the family was fast-tracked and that really saved them a lot of stress! Big, big congratulations to them and WELCOME TO CANADA!

Celebrating with one of our former residents who just received her and her family's acceptance! Congratulations! This is a special day!

Join us for tonights virtual banquet! www.micahhouse.ca/banquet2020 Launches at 6:30 this evening - and we'd love to have you zoom in! If you registered ahead of time look for your dinner delivery soon (pictured here) and a big thank you to Lindsay Homeland Crafts & Creations for the delicious soup varieties - and also to Feona Johnson for the equally delicious cassava cake!

Sampling Feona's incredible cassava cake this morning. Wow! Those of you who registered for the online banquet for this Saturday are in for a treat! If you didn't register in time for the delivered-meal option we would still LOVE to have you join us. So tune in for 6:30 this Saturday at www.micahhouse.ca/banquet2020

There's still a window for you to register AND get your ready to make soup (and dessert!) delivered for this Saturday! We have some extra Spicy Black Bean and Coconut Curry. www.micahhouse.ca/banquet2020

"Have you signed up to receive your delivery of ready-to-make soup and homemade dessert? Don't miss out! Click here to register micahhouse.ca/banquet2020 " We can deliver to the Greater Hamilton area (Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek and some other outlying areas), and if you are willing and able, you can come and pick up your order yourself (for those who will find that more convenient)

Don't miss out! Sign up today to have delicious ready-to-make soup (three great choices!) delivered to your door for the November 28th online Micah House event. We may be able to extend the deadline...but why would you want to risk it? See you on the 28th! www.micahhouse.ca/banquet2020

"Come gather with us, virtually! If you register before November 20th you can enjoy a ready-to-make soup and delicious dessert while you watch! Register here: micahhouse.ca/banquet2020 "

If you register within the next two days you'll get your choice of one of our three delicious ready-to-make soups! micahhouse.ca/banquet2020 We have a great program ready for you - updates on the ministry, a guest interview, music and more all within a one-hour time slot. Don't miss this!... All happening November 28th!

Introducing an incredible new program to assist refugee claimants at their hearing with the Immigration & Refugee Board. Its called the 'Refugee Hearing Program', or RHP for short, and it closely mimics an actual hearing in order to prepare the participant. Micah House is working closely with Matthew House Toronto in order to provide this outstanding program. You can learn more about it here... https://www.matthewhouserhp.com/

The November 28th fundraising banquet features your choice of 3 incredible soups! Split pea (mild) Coconut curry (mild) Spicy black bean (spicy) ... Which will you be ordering? Let us know in the comments! Oh, and, this is where you go to place your order https://www.eventbrite.com/e/at-home-together-micah-house-v Next we will be letting you know what our own Feona Johnson is creating for your sweet-tooth!

You have been asking, and here it is! We are thrilled to announce this years banquet. Read all the details on our webpage...https://www.micahhouse.ca/post/tuxedo-s-optional You can also go directly to our Eventbrite page to sign up! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/at-home-together-micah-house-vi... (so many wonderful links ) Interviews, music and food (including a delicious Liberian dessert). The online event is considerably shorter than you have been used to at our previous banquets - we'll keep it informative and fun and you'll still have your evening to enjoy afterward.

Wow. Praise the Lord! You did it! Friends, let me share how grateful everyone at Micah House is for this incredible gift. You can still donate so if you're feeling inclined we'd welcome it :) https://rideforrefuge.org/charity/micahhouse... Stay tuned for some "action" shots from tomorrow (remember, if you are, or have already, undertaking a RfR activity we'd cherish your pics).

Today we draw your attention to another Ride for Refuge participant, Mr. Greg Reader. You may recognize Greg as a long-time friend and supporter of this ministry ... or you may not recognize him ... https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx Thanks, Greg, for your awesome idea! Hope you reach your target :)

An interesting piece outlining the need for and advantages of the Federal Gov matching gifts. https://ipolitics.ca//to-save-small-charities-that-serve-/

We made some fantastic updates to our website. If you haven't seen it jump on over to www.micahhouse.ca. However in the transition it appears that a lot of the email we send is going to spam and this seemed a good way to get the word out. If you are accustomed to getting email from us (a volunteer or a prayer list participant, for example) and haven't received anything you've expected then be sure to check your spam and junk folders. Thanks!

Hmmm. I hope this won't be off-side but we just noticed a young lady from Immanuel CRC fundraising for Micah House at this weeks Ride for Refuge, and doing something pretty neat and creative. https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx Abigail, you have all our thanks.

New polling suggests Canadians are embracing newcomers more than ever! https://www.micahhouse.ca/post/canada-embracing-newcomers

A wonderful weekend of fundraising fun for Micah House and many other local ministries! Thank you to all who worked so hard to help us (so far) raise 141% of our original goal! Plus, we had 46 participants (including 18 from the Immanuel CRC & Friends Team). Amazing Abigail sent us a photo of her delicious work, and Team Jalapeno also checked in from the Bayfront. Love to post your photos too, so send them our way!

Several lines like this one caught our eye, "Since the restrictions on refugees were put into place, Canada has slowly opened its doors to those whose travel is deemed essential, including truck drivers, some foreign students and about 500 hockey players and accompanying coaches and staff. By allowing entry to these groups but not to refugee claimants, Canada a global leader in refugee protection is signalling to the world that, during a pandemic, refugee travel is not es...sential." Canada's general population is not being threatened by the potential arrival of refugee claimants. https://ottawacitizen.com//rashid-and-silcoff-refugee-prot

One of our incredible and hard-working residents listens in to his online class this morning. This has become the norm around Micah House, as he and others find their daily workspace and get down to business. What's been your experience with on-line learning so far?

Scott recently did a small interview with the Christian & Missionary Alliance speaking about Micah House. https://www.facebook.com/watch/

Just back from dropping my daughter off at school in Thunder Bay. Once again, absolutely breathtaking drive full of amazing scenes that make you stand in awe of God's creation. As amazing as it all is, this is not the height of His creation; we are. Working alongside refugee newcomers helps me to recognize the beauty of God's work in His children, all the time. Take some time today to recognize and thank God for the beautiful creativity He displays in the world's wide variety of people! The apex of His handiwork!

This year's design for the Ride 4 Refuge looks pretty great! Each year there's a new design so, what does your collection look like? Post a pic of you in your oldest/favorite/most beaten in/whatever Ride for Refuge t-shirt. Be part of our goal to raise 12k and get one of your own 2020 beauties! https://rideforrefuge.org/charity/micahhouse... Thanks to all those who are already signed up to participate!

As my (Maddie) last day at Micah House is coming to an end. I wrote an article about my time here. You can read it at: https://notabenestories.wixsite.com//my-time-at-micah-house Thank you :)

Happy Monday everyone! We hope you have a safe and healthy week!

Don’t forget about the Ride for Refuge fundraiser that is taking place on October 3rd 2020. You can form your own team to raise money for this great cause! This year, you can do more than ride a bike or walk, check the photo below to see all the options! You can read more about Ride for Refuge and learn about how to create your own team by clicking this link: https://rideforrefuge.org/home

We are happy to welcome a new addition to our Micah House family!! Former residents welcomed this beautiful baby girl into the world on Wednesday. May God Bless them and keep them healthy!

Come join in for some prayer on the porch next Wednesday at 12 noon. We can keep the right distance, wear masks and anything else necessary or desirable to make things comfortable for us all. I'll be there (Scott) and I promise to have a smile on my face!

"Micah House, is a warm, friendly home, full of good energy, friendly people and with a great heart, where you learned from the culture of different families who get to know this place." - A former Micah House Resident

We have a great news article on our website that highlights some amazing work done at Micah House and shares a story about a former resident. Read it at: https://notabenestories.wixsite.com//a-hidden-secret-in-th

Canada’s charities have been hit hard by COVID-19. That includes Micah House. A 1:1 matching funds program by the federal government would be a good idea, and there's a creative new initiative underway to explore that possibility. We'd love to see this happen. Read all about it here. https://www.canadacarescampaign.ca/

The Ride for Refuge fundraiser is taking place on October 3rd 2020. The Ride for Refuge raises money for charities that provide home and hope for some of the most vulnerable people on earth. You can form your own team to raise money for this great cause! You can read more about Ride for Refuge and learn about how to create your own team by clicking this link: https://rideforrefuge.org/home Check back later for exciting updates!

Our latest blog post was written by Erwin van Laar, Are We For or Against Them? You can read it by following this link:

We have an exciting new blog post on our website! You can read it at https://notabenestories.wixsite.com//post/hello-from-maddie

We are so excited to have our new website up and running! Please check it out at http://micahhouse.ca

On Monday two of our residents continued their journey in Canada as they moved out of Micah House. We continue to pray for them and all the best on their journey. May God guide them and provide them with all they need.

Register to join our July 9th "Annual Townhall Meeting" at [email protected].

Attended a pretty fascinating "meeting" with scholar and theologian, N.T. Wright called "Racism, Christians & Leadership." That's him on the bottom. This current season has introduced us to new platforms for joining in on these kinds of things and for participating with those that we might not otherwise be able to. Have you been a part of a particularly fascinating online meeting? Who have you learned from that you'd never expected to be able to?

Are you finding isolation and tight budgets difficult during this pandemic? These challenges are not new for many refugees in Canada. Join us online next Thursday to mark World Refugee Day by watching and discussing this short CBC documentary about a Syrian family settling in Canada. Email [email protected] to join in. We'll send you the video and the Zoom link prior to the online meeting.

World Refugee Day is almost here. Despite a global pandemic, wars and persecution continue. Refugees courageously seek a route to safety, and those who have already arrived in Canada work to make this new country their home. And even during a pandemic, the Church can respond. 1) Prayer walk... Anytime, anywhere! Let us know if you're interested and we'll send you a family-friendly prayer walk guide. 2) Online movie screening Thursday, June 18 @ 8 pm we'll gather via Zoom to watch and discuss a 15-minute CBC documentary about a Syrian refugee family settling in Canada and the weight on the shoulders of a 17 year-old refugee girl named Sedra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYHHX7wFdz8&feature=youtu.be **RSVP to [email protected] to receive the Zoom link.** See more

Scotts been using the flowery-one. Keeping safe thanks to Immanuel CRC and the team for making these. The residents and staff are using them every day. Do you have a mask with an awesome print too? Love to see your mask!

We all need reminders. The Spanish crowd at Micah House have adopted the habit of posting notes to remind themselves of everyday items in English. Great idea! I thought Micah House could post some reminders here too: One, God is good. Two, we're still here, still serving refugee claimants. Three, we want you to pray for us. Four, we're praying for you.

We've been receiving cards & notes, from you, to our residents. What a wonderful gift for them! It truly lifts their spirits and makes them feel welcome! Your messages have been thoughtful and heartfelt. Thank you for taking the time to craft such beautiful words of encouragement. I hope someone has been an encouragement to you today as well. We need one another, and that includes newcomers :)

Its Earth Day. Our gardens aren't in yet but we have been hard at work "greening" the inside for the past several weeks. Super-volunteer, Annette, has been overseeing the project and current resident, Gladis, is making sure our beautiful plants are watered, get sunlight and sometimes even get in a little conversation (I think the plants are learning Spanish). What are you doing for Earth Day?

Andres (a resident) has our backyard looking sharp and ready for a sunny day like today! Feona plans on getting some peppers and tomatoes in.

Its our mandate to "welcome" refugees but what about "thanking" them? We have four rooms at Micah House (Peace, Joy, Hope & Mercy). While we are all isolating why not take out a card or sheet of paper and write a note to one of these four rooms and thank the occupants. Thank them for coming to Canada, for bringing their love, work ethic, skill, courageous example, rich culture and infectious hope! Simply address your letter to Micah House, c/o one of those four rooms.... It does not matter who is in the room, any of their occupants will be blessed by your gesture! Lets see if we can generate 50 letters!!! This Saturday is Refugee Rights Day. Since the events we had planned to recognize it cannot take place maybe you can send your letter instead.

No one knows how far this thing is going to go before it subsides, and unfortunately its becoming commonplace to get wrapped up in some fairly wild speculation. I've heard it suggested this could be months long and it brought to mind so many figures in the bible. For example, Noah and his family were locked up in a box for months; no going for a walk, no Netflix, probably ran out of toilet paper pretty fast, and so on. Friends, there is a great deal of security and reassurance knowing that God has this. Thanks for your prayers AND if WE can pray for YOU just let us know.

Our household is full of wonderful residents all working together as a team to mitigate any potential for this virus to find its way in. Like the rest of us, they may experience a bit of cabin-fever in the days ahead so please pray about that. In the meantime, we are thankful for the health we have. We are not permitting any visitors to the residence but the office phones and email accounts are humming right along - so feel free to reach out if you've got the need. Like... you at your church, school or place of business we have had to put aside all of our calendar events for now. That will need to include those of you who were joining the weekly prayer time on Wednesday or the bible study. Peace and health to us all! Will be keeping you updated :) See more

These are the two newest additions to Micah House. Usually we don't post photo's but these two won't mind!

https://ofwi.org/ogunkoyapetition

Every year we present one of our fine volunteers with the 'Ken Leslie Award.' Ken was a model volunteer at Micah House and elsewhere in Hamilton. He gave a considerable amount of time and energy to his commitments, always putting others before himself. Its a pleasure to name Donna Boyko as the recipient for 2019. Many times we've heard Donna say that the right hand should not know what the left is doing, and she lives that credo as an example to us all. Donna has been a steady presence at Micah House for many years' shopping, preparing meals, giving support sacrificially and more. Donna, you are a modest woman but you truly deserve this recognition. God bless you, and thank you from all of us at Micah House.

Dundas Baptist Church dropped off 40 pillows! Thank you to our Dundas Family! You continue to bless!

This incredible group of upper year Redeemer University students just completed their study of 'belonging' in the context of newcomers. They did their research on behalf of Micah House and have produced a descriptive, informative and challenging document that we are proud to make available to our constituents. It includes a two part study, or devotional piece, that you will find helpful. It will soon be available on our website but if you need a copy before that please let us know and we will get a pdf out to you. A big 'thank you' to the team!

Usually it really bothers us when the front porch looks like this. But, its the result of several people moving out of our residence this week, and it will be cleared away soon. The reason we make mention of this is because many of you filled out a response sheet at our recent fundraising banquet (you had great feedback and great questions), and we promised to drill down on your questions. Someone asked 'How long do people stay [in the residence]?' The average length of stay... is actually just shy of two months. The reason being that rental units are usually available at the beginning of any given month and we have most people equipped to be on their own by then. Its unusual for people (especially families) to be ready before that. There are those who stay much longer, and others with a much quicker turn-around, but the average is skewed heavily to the two-month slot. See more

Wonderful crowd of generous and faithful people at the banquet last night. All our thanks to Alison Berry for arranging an ever-changing seating plan, to Jess Brand for her excellence at the emcee post and to our incredible speaker, Kent Annan. But thanks most of all to YOU, who came and supported this ministry. We are overwhelmed by your grace!

Moments ago, a new resident, standing on the porch with a beaming smile and holding his phone camera so that his wife in Africa can see, all the while saying "There's snow everywhere!" These are the moments, my friends!

We could use a second fridge here at Holton Avenue. Anyone have a fridge in decent, working shape that you can offer us? Let me know at 905-296-4387 ex2.

We have a big mailing going out and need your help stuffing envelopes. If you can help out please drop by 205 Holton Avenue South anytime tomorrow (Friday) between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The more hands the better :)

We are opening the doors to 205 Holton every Wednesday beginning on the 11th in order to pray. Running from 11:30 to 12 noon, you will receive a list of items to guide your time, but other than some opening remarks we will not be praying aloud. So please feel welcome to come and join in for a powerful 30 minutes interceding for newly arrived refugees at Micah House and elsewhere.

Need help. There are 3 mattresses and 2 boxsprings we need picked up in Grimsby and delivered to 205 Holton Avenue South (Micah House). This needs to happen on Wednesday the 28th. If you can help please email [email protected]. Thanks

A few days ago I had a dream that my friends got a new puppy dog but the dog would only listen to me and not them. I'm "fairly" certain that dream meant nothing, but last night's screening of 'Jesus in Athens' DID serve as a reminder that God makes very vivid and real appearances in dreams. He did this throughout scripture (Old and New Testaments) and it does not seem to have abated or stopped even to this day. As praying people we should be asking God to reveal Himself to others (to us?) in this manner. Whatever you think about the theology of this there really is no doubt that many, many people are having eternity-changing encounters this way. Big thank-you to Tyler for taking it upon himself to organize this event!

I really like what Bono said a few years ago. To paraphrase, "Where you live should not determine whether you live." It really covers much of the sentiment we have at Micah House. Our deepest thanks to all of you who have helped Micah House to make Hamilton a new home for 1000 refugees.

https://www.facebook.com/events/729504144149271/